- RV liv
byCamille Attell|July 24, 2018|34 comments
Shopping for an RV can be fun...or scary since you're likely making a big purchase. We were in over our heads with our first RV purchase and almost chose a different model. Then we got into a Tiffin Allegro Open Road 32SA RV - the clouds parted and the sun beamed with happiness upon us. It was slightly more expensive than our first choice, but after traveling in it for almost two years, we still feel like we made a really good decision.
By the way, if you're in the market for an RV, be sure to tour as many as possible to find out what you like and need.click hereread7 things to ask a dealer before buying a motorhome.
Our Tiffin Allegro Class A gas RV is 34 feet, has two slides and is the perfect size for most of the places we want to visit.
While there was onelittlemore money than we had budgeted for, we feel it was worth the investment. Tiffin is a great company and the features that came with our buses are really perfect for our style of travel. It helps that we have also negotiated the price down.
Tiffin makes high quality motorhomes. In a future post, I will share details from our Tiffin Factory Tour. We've put over 20,000 miles on ours and it's still holding up well.
The kitchen provides plenty of space and storage. Photo credit: Camille Attell
The difference in quality between a Tiffin and its competitors is significant. In the wagon we had almost bought, the cupboards and doors seemed rather flimsy. In Tiffin, doors and cupboards close with a solid "bang". If you want to save money on an RV purchase, sorry but don't go into a Tiffin, it will be hard to go back.
We love the layout. The kitchen faces the door, which makes me feel safe because I can see if someone comes to the door while I'm cooking. We can also move comfortably and even be in separate rooms if we wish. This is important because when you travel full-time with your spouse, alone time is key.
You can see more of our RV in this Behind The Scenes RV Nomads movie clip.
There are two features that I didn't really care for in the beginning that I now love: the fireplace and the bedroom fan. That's right, we even have a fireplace which is great on cold days. Imagine sipping hot coffee by the fire on a chilly morning while gazing at a misty meadow. It's a dream come true!
The ceiling fan in the bedroom is not just a "decorative fan" as I thought - it actually cools things down, resulting in a better night's sleep.
Finally, Tiffin gas RVs run really well. Typically, diesel buses are more powerful than gas buses, which can provide a better driving experience. But our Allegro was built on a longer chassis with a foil cushion, which makes for a fairly smooth ride.
Overall, we think our Tiffin Allegro Open Road 32SA RV is the right choice for us, but there are a few quirks. We have a large residential fridge that everyone raves about when they visit our coach. It is very practical, but in a boondocking situation (camping without electricity, water and sewage connections) it sucks up a lot of battery power. We've been struggling with a mysterious battery-generator-inverter problem since we've owned it.
Housing Refrigerator, fireplace and TV. Photo red: Camille Attell
Even though our buses are spacious, there is a lot of wasted space and a lack of storage in the bathroom. Tiffin could have installed a small shelf to add more storage, but these are small details that can easily be forgiven. In addition, we have designed our own special "hacks" for storage. Click here to viewour Pinterest board of RV storage ideas.
The biggest challenge for us is the dinette booth. It is too narrow and when my husband and I both work there it is a bit crowded. Sure, one of us could sit in the passenger seat and use the pull-out shelf, but it's not that comfortable. But considering all the other features, the dinette wasn't a deal-breaker for us.
While 34 feet is a great size, I've been longing for a smaller, more nimble rig so we can stop and take pictures or explore on a whim. That's hard to do with a 34-foot rig—plus the 10-foot car we tow behind it. Going smaller is a trend among RVers right now, and even Tiffin caught their newWayfarer— a small class C trainer.click hereto read more aboutthe small RV trend.
Overall, we really like our Tiffin Allegro Open Road 32SA RV. While I may wish for a smaller rig, this size and layout suits us well. Plus, the quality and features make for a comfortable and enjoyable RV experience. If you're in the market for a new camper and a Tiffin coach is in your budget, you can hardly go wrong. Tiffin is a leading US-based RV manufacturer that strives to make their customers happy. And if you call them, Bob Tiffin himself might just pick up the phone.
If you wish to change to full-time or extended motorhome travel, click here to getWanderlust Transition Planthe tool in 10 categories to help you plan your travel lifestyle.
Ashley Mannon 25 July 2018 at 18.00
I actually assumed our fireplace was connected to our propane and had real flames until the first time I lit it after several months of ownership! I was pretty disappointed to find it was just lights and a space heater, LOL!
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Camille Attellon 3 August 2018 at 12:25 p.m
Haha I thought the same, but only because I could swear the salesman told us that. But no, just some fancy looking fake fire. At least it's warm right?!
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Deborrah Murrayon 8 March 2020 at 23:07
We love our fireplace in our Tiffin. My husband was called by Bob Tiffin to discuss a problem with our roof which they replaced at no cost to us. You can call the parts department and get anything that needs replacing. We are current owners of our third Tiffin. We are taking it to Alaska this summer.
(Video) The SMALLEST Tiffin Motorhome in the WORLD!Response
Bryce Cripeon 9 March 2020 at 03:57
Thanks for sharing, Deborrah. We also had a good experience with Tiffin's factory service. Enjoy your trip to Alaska this summer in your Tiffin!
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Lisaon 26 July 2018 at 16:21
What kind of mileage with gas vs. diesel with your Tiffin?
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Camille Attellon 3 August 2018 at 12:24 p.m
We get 8-10 MPG. That's about average for a trainer of this size.
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B Moron April 28, 2019 at 01:29
Thank you very much for your review and your good information about your Tiffin 32SA. How often do you use your oven? We are looking at a Tiffin Allegro Open Road 36LA. The one we like only has the microwave convection oven. We are trying to decide if we should replace the drawers with an oven.
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Bryce Cripeon 1 May 2019 at 18.20
Thanks for reading and commenting, B. We probably use our conventional oven a few times a week. We use our microwave much more often, but we are still happy to have the conventional oven. While it's not big enough to roast a Thanksgiving turkey, it's perfect for just about anything else. Best wishes with your decision!
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Keithwon October 7, 2020 at 12:11 p.m
For what it's worth, we had a convection and propane furnace in our last RV (Tioga SL 31w). The convection oven (110 volts) took almost 1/2 hour to reach 350 degrees and as soon as you opened/closed the door to put your food in, so much heat was lost that it took another 5-7 minutes to come back up to temperature . It worked, but we preferred the propane stove. We were looking at a 2020 Tiffin Allegro 33AA with "elevator" and two-seater dinette with stove, but couldn't find any drawer/cupboard big enough for our pans and such. With the "traditional" dinette, we will store cookware under the dinette drawers, which are quite large.
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Bryce Cripeon 12 November 2020 at 21.43
Great info on the convection oven, Keith. Thanks. It's surprising how inefficient the convection oven is. We really appreciate the storage space under the seat of our full dining table. This is also where most of our cookware goes.
Thanks again.
Rick DeSilvaon 19 September 2018 at 12.05
My wife and I are considering selling our home in a few years and becoming full time RVers. Tiffin Open Road 32sa is the one I lean towards. From what I have gathered, to include your article, they are a good RV manufacturer that stands behind their products. Not everyone does from what I understand. Thank you for your article. It has helped the process.
(Video) Wow Tiffin Gas Motorhomes are BACK!!!Response
Camille Attellon 19 September 2018 at 23.05
Hi Rick yes Tiffin is a very reputable company. They are responsive and helpful, and even the repair and warranty people speak highly of them. I'd say the only downside is that if you have to take it to the Alabama factory, it's not a quick process. You cannot make an appointment. You have to park in their lot and wait for an appointment which can take two weeks! It just wasn't something we could handle. Other than that, they provide great products and services.
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John Duffyon October 16, 2018 at 21.59
We got our 32SA 2/9/18 and have lived in it for the past 6 months. Selling our business and house and traveling full time in November ’18. We are so happy with ours. We had the Dometic fridge but it had cooling issues and we went to Red Bay and they replaced it with a residential fridge. Love your article!
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Camille Attellon 25 October 2018 at 15.29
Hi John - thanks for reading! We also went to Red Bay. But the waiting time was so long that we could not stay and wait for the repairs. We did the tour ourselves which was cool. Did you do that too? Overall we like our rig but have this annoying alternator problem that still hasn't been fixed. Glad to know another Tiffin owner :). Camille
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BJ Rowlisonon 28 November 2018 at 03.20
Thanks for the review. Can you tell us more about your generator problem? We are looking at the Tiffin 32SA and would like to know more about any issues other owners are having.
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Camille Attellon 20 January 2019 at 22.44
Hey BJ - It's really hard to say. It might not be the generator at all. We found that the converter does not fully charge and is inconsistent. It's strange because no one has been able to figure it out, but Bryce finally observed it last week. Overall, we really like our Allegro, and our problem is unique - meaning we haven't heard anyone else like it to this degree.
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TLCNWILon 27 February 2020 at 23:06
We had the same problem for the first 1 1/2 years we had the trainer. Actually got us stuck when we had the slides out and we lost all power. The park owners tried to help, their maintenance man and my husband who knows his way around mechanics. About 1 1/2 hours later it all came back. We took it in to the dealer we bought it from. They just pretended to replace the inverter but they didn't when my husband noticed it was the exact same one. We had the problem several times even when we parked at home. Fingers crossed it hasn't happened again in the last 6-7 months.
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Bryce Cripeon 9 March 2020 at 04:09
Power is one of the most misunderstood systems on an RV. We've certainly struggled with that. We're sorry to hear you've had problems too, but hope it's behind you now.
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Troyon 17 February 2019 at 21.02
Thanks for the review. Looking at the 32SA but wondering if it has enough power to travel out west.
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(Video) Pre-Owned 2016 Tiffin Allegro Open Road 32SA | Mount Comfort RVBryce Cripeon 19 February 2019 at 17.24
You're welcome, Troy. We've spent a lot of time out west in our 32SA and have been mostly happy with its power up mountain passes. And we're towing a 3,500 pound vehicle behind us. There have been a couple of steep climbs where we were down to 30 mph luring the rig over the top of the pass, but we've learned to be patient at those times.
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Mandyon April 8, 2019 at 14.33
I just bought a 32sa and was excited to hear that you guys are connected to wifi as I hope to learn more about it. We will mostly be dry camping in western Canada and my unit comes with a Winegard Connect. Will this be sufficient for wifi on the go or should I look for a satellite system? Thanks in advance.
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Camille Attellon April 24, 2019 at 17.44
Hi Mandy, Congratulations on the purchase of a Tiffin 32SA. We have both AT&T and Verizon plans to handle our voice and data needs. Sometimes we find park wifi that is strong enough for us to use when data security is not an issue. We also have a WeBoost system for when a stronger signal is needed. We do not use Winegard Connect so we are not familiar with its details and are not familiar with data carriers in Canada. I recommend you check out our friend Chris and Cherie's Mobile Internet Resource Center for all your RV tech needs:https://www.rvmobileinternet.com/
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Mike Walleron April 16, 2019 at 21.56
We have just upgraded from an MBS Sprinter to the 32SA. We will take delivery next week and deal with the 2-year-old Sprinter. Space and carrying capacity are the two biggest issues for us along with having to tear up the split bed every time we move. I really liked the sprinter's agility and how it towed our 2-door Wrangler, but there was just no place to relax in it for me. I was always bumping my head on something and the short queen on the 2400R was a bear coming in and out. The layout of the 32SA really suits us as we travel with 2 cats and a small dog. The Sprinter is no speed demon going over passes in Colorado, but I'm in no rush. The Sprinter caters to a certain group and I will miss not being able to get into some of the campsites we like since the Tiffin is 10 feet longer. But this will make us explore new areas!
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Camille Attellon April 24, 2019 at 17.30
Congratulations on your new Tiffin, Mike! We recently visited the new 32SAs and love some of the new features - including the wide kitchen window. Thanks for sharing your comparison of the MBS Sprinter with the Tiffin 32SA. Our readers will find it very useful. Enjoy your travels in your Tiffin!
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Lynnon 2 May 2019 at 17.09
Hi Camille – thank you so much for all the information. We recently purchased a 32A and are currently on the way. We also have inverter issues - it won't stay on. Can you tell me if they ever fixed your problem and what the problem was? It may give some insight into how we solve our problem.
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Bryce Cripeon 17 May 2019 at 4:40 p.m
Hi Lynn, sorry to hear you are having issues with the inverter. Ours has not been completely resolved. We've had several dealers look at it, as well as some very helpful full-time RVers who are very knowledgeable about electrical systems. The most recent help we received was from a highly qualified full-time RVer friend who has a college degree in electrical engineering. He worked on it for a few hours and improved our situation. I think like you we struggle to keep our charger charged when the generator is on. Our friend worked on fine-tuning the frequency of the generator motor at which the charger would be turned on. But sometimes it will still turn off again. Very frustrating. It may be that the charger-inverter unit is bad and needs to be replaced. The fix is still in progress. I hope it helps you. Thanks.
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- (Video) We FINALLY Found a TIFFIN GAS CLASS A MOTORHOME!
Ronald Denmanon 14 May 2019 at 17.11
We own a 32sa and have since Nov. 2018 had a problem with the entrance step up the coach. The first two steps for the ground are straight, but the last step into the coach is higher. Any ideas or recalls?
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Bryce Cripeon 17 May 2019 at 16.50
Hi Ronald, thanks for reading and commenting. I'm sorry to hear about your problem with entry steps. I would start with your warranty if you have one to see if it is covered. You can also check the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website for recall information. Be sure to search for the year, make and model of your trainer. Here is the link to the website:https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/TIFFIN/ALLEGRO%252520OPEN%252520ROAD#recalls. Best wishes with your fix.
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ColleenSon 2 July 2019 at 10:56 a.m
My husband and I will be full time RVers as soon as our house sells..We own a 2004 Allegro and I love it..Hubby wants to replace it with an Open Road as he likes the layout and features..We get high 7 to low 8 miles per gallon. I think it's pretty good for an older model.. Loved your input on the newer model.. I feel confident we made the right decision in choosing the Tiffin.
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Bryce Cripeon 9 March 2020 at 04:34
Thank you, Colleen. It's a testament to the quality of Tiffin that you love your 2004 Allegro and that it gets the same mileage as newer models. I hope you are enjoying a new Tiffin in your full time travels.
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Bill harton 21 July 2019 at 15.13
Please provide feedback on the ride and handling (holes and expansion joints) and fuel consumption of your V10 engine.
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Bryce Cripeon 9 March 2020 at 04:29
Hi Bill, our Tiffin is doing very well, especially for a gas truck. The coach has vibration-reducing technologies. I try to pay close attention to potholes and expansion joints, and slow down on rough roads to reduce wear. Our average mpg is between 6 and 8.
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Jan Wombleon 2 March 2021 at 22:07
Enjoyed your review!! We are considering buying a 2022 Tiffin 32sa. My husband doesn't think the jackknife sofa is worth the extra price. He wants the flip-and-fold sofa and uses a footstool for it. Is the couch comfortable? I was really hoping they would offer recliners in 2022, but they don't.
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William Rocheon 8 February 2022 at 19:08
Don't have much luck or need insight to pull 4 wheels with my 32 SA? Any suggestions?
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(Video) Tiffin Service Center (RV RAMPAGE THAT CHANGED POLICY)
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FAQs
How much towing capacity does a Tiffin 32sa have? ›
| 32 FA | 32 SA | |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Trailer Weight (pounds) 4 | 5000 | 5000 |
| Hitch Rating (pounds) | 5000 | 5000 |
| GCWR (pounds) | 30000 | 30000 |
| Capacities |
| Class A Motorhome | Mileage |
|---|---|
| Tiffin Open Road Allegro 32 SA | 7 mpg |
| Thor Palazzo | 10 mpg |
| Forest River Berkshire | 9 mpg |
| Newmar Dutch Star | 8 mpg |
They're all yours in the stunning new 2023 Zephyr, flagship of the Tiffin lineup.
How long is a Tiffin Open road 32sa? ›34.25 ft. (411 in.)
What is maximum trailering capacity? ›Your vehicle's towing capacity is the maximum amount of weight it can safely pull, which changes based on how it's configured, how much weight it's already carrying, and how you distribute and control the load you need to tow. There is a single number that automakers use to best estimate towing capacity.
What is the highest towing capacity Class C RV? ›Motorhomes can tow a vehicle. Most Class C RVs are on Class 3 or Class 4 chassis that can tow up to 5,000 pounds. There are Class Cs that can tow up to 8,000 pounds. Super Cs have become popular in the last few years and some are on Class 8 semi chassis and can tow a whopping 40,000 pounds.
What is the MSRP for Tiffin Motorhomes? ›- Clearance.
- MSRP:$715,823†
- You Save:$178,95625% Off.
- $536,867Make an Offer.
- As Low As:$3,862/mo.
Tiffin Motorhomes revenue is $670.0M annually. After extensive research and analysis, Zippia's data science team found the following key financial metrics. Tiffin Motorhomes has 3,000 employees, and the revenue per employee ratio is $223,333. Tiffin Motorhomes peak revenue was $670.0M in 2022.
What is the most expensive Tiffin? ›The luxury lunch boxes, with three layers, are made from 18-karat gold and weigh 3.35 kilograms. Takashimaya said it is selling only three of them for 18.9 million yen ($229,000).
Who are Tiffin motorhomes competitors? ›Tiffin Motorhomes's competitors include Airstream, GDRV, Knaus Tabbert, Newmar.
What is the most popular motorhome layout? ›
Island Bed Motorhomes
Island bed motorhome layouts tend to be most popular with motorhome owners that have considered a French bed system or have had a French bed previously. Often, they like a large permanent double bed but want to move around more easily.
When used in place of the word "lunch", tiffin often consists of rice, lentils, curry, vegetables, chapatis or "spicy meats". In addition, the lunch boxes are themselves called tiffin carriers, tiffin-boxes or just tiffins.
When did Tiffin sell out? ›If you have not already heard, Tiffin was sold to THOR Industries for $300 million which was announced last Monday the 21st of December 2020.
What is the smallest Tiffin motorhome? ›Allegro Breeze
As the name implies, the Breeze has everything you need for a laid-back and easy going adventure on the road. With 2 floor plans available, one 31-foot and the other 33-foot in length, this is the smallest Tiffin Class A RV and is a joy to drive!
In December 2020, Thor Industries acquired the Tiffin Group. This is the most recent addition to the Thor Industries family of brands. Before this acquisition, Tiffin operated independently for almost 50 years.
How much can a Tiffin motorhome tow? ›The Allegro Bay's 12,000 lb tow capacity helps relieve the concern of what you can take on your next adventure.
How much can a Tiffin Super C tow? ›Tiffin Allegro Bay Super C Motorhome
The Freightliner custom chassis features a full-time NoSPIN differential single rear axle so you can navigate tougher terrain, and the 12,000 lb. towing capacity means larger cargo can come along!
| 33 BR | |
|---|---|
| GAWR-Rear (pounds) | 16000 |
| GVWR (pounds) | 25500 |
| Maximum Trailer Weight (pounds) 4 | 5000 |
| Hitch Rating (pounds) | 5000 |
On average, class C RVs can tow approximately 8,000 pounds. But this is an average amount of weight and not a standard across all class C makes and models. In addition to consulting your owner's manual, use our towing guide to calculate how much your class C RV can tow safely!